Hey fellas — this is that week in Huntington. The annual “75 Memorial Game”, when Marshall honors the 75 players, coaches, and fans lost in the 1970 plane crash. The whole town shows up, the team plays with a different edge, and emotion absolutely fuels performance.
This isn’t just narrative — it’s backed by numbers. Marshall almost always shows up big in this spot, and historically they’ve been a money team when the line moves against them. If you’re looking for a side to ride with conviction, this might be the one.
Last 20 Years of the ‘75 Game’ (2005–2024)
Straight-Up: 12–8
Against the Spread: 11–9 (58%)
Average margin vs line: +6.2 pts
Covers Record: 11–9 ATS
7–2 ATS in the last nine years
4–1 ATS when underdogs in this memorial game
Marshall’s history says they’re most dangerous when nobody believes in them.
In their “75” games as an underdog of +3 or more, they’re 4–1 ATS, and 3–2 straight-up.
Examples:
2005 (+3.5) beat UCF
2008 (+2.5) beat UAB
2011 (+4) close loss vs ECU (covered nearly)
2018 (+2.5) beat FAU
2021 (+10.5) covered easily vs NC State
When they’re disrespected on the line, they play with that “chip on the shoulder, play for something bigger” energy — and more often than not, they cash tickets.
This week, Marshall’s a double-digit home dog vs James Madison, and that’s the exact profile where they’ve thrived historically. Emotional crowd, physical defense, and an offense that usually finds an early spark in this spot.
Play: Marshall +14 (or better)
Lean: 1H ML sprinkle if you like the emotion angle
Trend: 4–1 ATS as dog in Memorial Game; 9–4 ATS as November dog since 2015
The public will fade the emotion — they always do. But the data and the heart say otherwise.
When this team plays for the 75, they play inspired.
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